Iron age grave types and burial traditions of the Aeolis region in the light of Tisna findings

In Antiquity, many necropolises have been identified and published in the cities of the Aeolis region of Western Anatolia. The necropolises and graves of the cities of the region have been seen since the Neolithic period. It is known that the settlements of the region, which has a mountainous geography, spread towards the coastal area. However, there are also many rural settlements. Accordingly, the upper parts of the hills where they were established were preferred as residential areas in the towns, and as the population increased, it spread towards the slopes. In this study, after providing detailed information on the geography of the region and its towns, a total of 12 grave types, starting with tholos graves, have been examined and evaluated under headings according to their type. With Aeolis, the graves considered within the framework of the Iron Age are tumuli, chamber graves, rock graves, sarcophagi, limestone and limestone lidded graves, urns, cist graves, pithos graves, pottery graves and simple earth graves. The thesis evaluated the architectural features, typological distinctions and intra-grave finds of the regional graves. As a result of the studies, many similarities and differences were examined, taking into account the burial traditions and periods of the grave types. Tumuli, sarcophagi, boat graves, urn graves and simple earthen graves are the most common in the necropolises studiet in the region. Tumuli, especially the rock graves of Tisna, can be considered as groups of monumental graves. In these graves, which were severely damaged by illegal excavations, only the architecture of the graves could be evaluated. Some of the graves, which were built on very suitable sites, are very important fort he archaeology of Western Anatolia. Graves samples from the Hellenistic period in this region, which contain different types of graves, have been studiet, but it is clear that the density of graves belongs to the post-Hellenistic period. This situation must be directly proportional to the increase in population after the 4th century BC. A unique grave type specific to the Aeolis region before the Hellenistic period is known only from an example from Tisna. The rock-cut tombs known from both Tisna and Larisa appear to be the characteristic monumental graves of the region. It is believed that by increasing archaeological fieldwork in the Aeolis region it will be possible to obtain more comprehensive information in terms of settlement archaeology as well as more necropolises.